DURBAN North resident Vic Stow celebrated his 90th birthday last week with a special trip to the sky. Surrounded by his family, the ex-aviator was given a flight in a 1946 Piper Cub owned and flown by Stuart Low.
Those there to witness the special occasion included daughters Vivienne Forrest and Jackie Cilliers, his son Jonathan Stow and granddaughter Jessica Taylor.
His son Jonathan was on a surprise visit to celebrate his father’s birthday, from his home in Australia. Also, there were husbands, wives and friends that included the organiser of the flight, Brenda Shankland.
The flight along the coast included a view of the old Stamford Hill aerodrome site that Vic used to fly from when he was with the SAAF auxiliary air unit.
These were civilians that were trained to fly SAAF aircraft on a voluntary basis.
The local resident, flew for 5 Squadron from 1952 to 1962. He amassed almost 1100 hours in Harvards and says he flew at least 73 different aircraft. His time included weapons training in Bloemfontein and also a conversion course onto Vampire jet trainers at Swartkops in Pretoria.
Stow, who grew up on the South Coast did his initial training on Tiger Moths.
In 1962 his textile business was demanding more and more of his time and he then decided to quit. He did not fly again except with friends on occasion.
Stow said he really enjoyed his flight which took him back in time.
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